If you were using cladistics to build a phylogenetic tree of cats, which of the following would be the best outgroup?
A) dingo
B) domestic cat
C) lion
D) leopard

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The outgroup should be a species that is related to cats but branched off from the evolutionary lineage before the divergence of cats. The dingo is a canid species that is closely related to domestic dogs, which branched off from the evolutionary lineage before the divergence of cats. Domestic cats, lions, and leopards are all members of the Felidae family and would not be appropriate outgroups.

If You Were Using Cladistics to Build a Phylogenetic Tree